We have arrived safely to our ministry location in India! We are staying in a decent-sized town with a local pastor and his family. During the day, we stay within the compound boundaries (the house, church, and small outdoor area) in order to protect our host family’s safety. We don’t leave for ministry until between 4-5:30pm every evening, so we have lots of time during the day to eat breakfast together, spend time reading Scripture and praying, do an Insanity workout, write sermons and journal, take naps, eat lunch, have team time, and drink lots of chai. God’s been so kind to provide us all with some rest after the stress of getting ready for the World Race.
Each evening, we drive out to a different village. We never know exactly what’s in store when we get there, and we love it. Typically, we’ll show up and play with the local kids, share stories of God’s goodness and working in our lives, give a short sermon, pray for individuals in the churches that we visit, and then have dinner with a local family in their home. We have seen some truly amazing miracles that I will share about in a later post.
The first time I came to India, I vowed I would never come back. The culture was so overwhelming, the men were too creepy, and I felt constantly on edge and unsafe. God is in the business of restoration though, and He’s doing just that. God has showed me how His followers bring light and hope to dark areas. Here, I feel as safe as I do in America, the people are kind and hospitable, and we’re welcomed with so much love. I’ve shared many cups of chai and mango juice with complete strangers who are now dear friends.
A village we visited welcomed the girls wth flower crowns
There are over 60 pastors here in one of the most unreached parts of the world, and they serve with such joy. They live on about $9 a day, yet give so sacrificially. One of my favorite pastors told us his story a few nights ago. When his family first moved to the area to share Jesus’ love, they couldn’t afford to pay their monthly rent, which was just under $6. He and his wife fasted for 7 months, eating only white rice, so that they could afford to feed their children.
As he shared with us, he began to cry. Not over their sacrifice though, but because they don’t have a church building yet. After all his family has been through, that’s what moves him to tears.
I am so grateful to say that I am fully funded. These pastors, however, are not. I will leave soon, but they will stay and do the difficult, long-term work of planting churches in a hostile environment. These are men who have been tortured for their faith in Jesus, yet laugh when they tell the stories and continue to praise God for His goodness.
Each pastor needs only $30 a month in order to pay for food, rent, and gas. Currently, they live on about $9 a month. If you, dear reader, are at all interested in supporting these pastors financially (even $5 a month makes a huge difference) please reach out to me through Facebook or email!
I never wanted to come back to this country, and I told many people that I was excited for every country on my route except for India. I’m really pleased, however, to say that God’s given me a new perspective. Rather than trying to avoiding this place, I’ll now pray that God lets me come back and visit my new, lifelong friends again.
